Chelsea FC

I know I shouldn't be shocked by now, but I still am. We've done great so far, I'd actually underestimated Robbie, the team have performed better in the league than I expected going into this season (and there's no shame in losing to Shakhtar & Juventus). If we had a bigger squad we'd be alright but we're having to call on Mata, Hazard & co every game, and it's showing in the last 30 mins or so of games.

Di Matteo was clearly a reluctant appointment in the first place, and Abramovich it seems was waiting for the first opportunity to get rid. In a way, you can't blame him when you look at our success after sacking managers (Sacked Ranieri=Back to back leagues, Mourinho=Champions League & League Cup Final, Scolari=FA Cup, Hiddink=League & FA Cup Double, AVB=Champions League & FA Cup double, Wenger=6 yrs without a trophy). So he probably feels that instabililty breeds success! Either that or he REALLY doesn't like losing to West Brom

Just please not Benitez, Roman

RDM,s dismissal was always on the cards no matter how well the team performed under him. He was a reluctant choice for the job anyway, forced upon Abramovich due to the champions league win. Robbie was always on a loser from the start, nothing short of winning the league and retaining the champions league was going to save him. At least he can walk away with his head held high.

Oh dear! All this money Roman is spending just on compensation means he'll soon need to go from be the owner of this:



To this:

Am not a Chelsea fan as every one knows but worries me about Chelsea is who is the next manager will Roman be patient with the new manager and allow who ever put the way of football on the club. Thats one of things i admire about Everton is they always had faith in David Moyes and always stood by him one hundred percent same with Fergie.

Chelsea statement:

"Chelsea FC can confirm Rafael Benitez has been appointed interim first-team manager until the end of the season."

When your poor performances have seen you knocked out of the CL soon and Super Leeds dump you out of the Mickey Mouse Cup, will he even make it to the end of the season?

(21-11-2012 19:58 )Don Tingley Wrote:  When your poor performances have seen you knocked out of the CL soon and Super Leeds dump you out of the Mickey Mouse Cup, will he even make it to the end of the season?

Winning the World Club Cup might help him. It's coming up soon. The Leeds game is immediately after that, so it's anyone's guess what team Chelsea will put out in that one (especially as Benitez does like squad rotation).

(21-11-2012 22:03 )admin Wrote:  The Leeds game is immediately after that, so it's anyone's guess what team Chelsea will put out in that one (especially as Benitez does like squad rotation).

He best get used to a bit of manager rotation

That Russian crook has sacked one fluke and employed another!

Somewhat mercenary of Benitez, the managers seat was empty barely 12 hours before he jumped in. Does suggest that the whole thing was pre-planned at least on Chelsea's side.

Small report last night on the BBC website from one of their reporters suggested that Benitez appointment had a lot to do with Torres. Not so sure it was Torres putting a word in, more about their previous relationship, and the hope that Benitez would get the best from the player.
That ignores the fact that the reason Torres thrived at Liverpool was because he had the likes of Gerrard feeding him, not because of the guy sitting on the bench. It would also suggset that whoever takes over to rebuild next season better get used to the idea that the new Chelsea will be built around Torres whether they like it or not. There is also rumour that this Torres influence is already creating a dressing room split against both new manager and player.

I see a further report this morning suggesting Di Matteo was told he would be sacked if he dropped Torres for the match.

Boudewijn Zenden has been appointed as assistant to Benitez with a contract to the end of the season.